Amazing Basketball Shot

By ELIZABETH A. HARRIS July 20, 2015

The New York State Education Department on Monday released guidelines on how school districts should accommodate transgender students. Schools should use the pronouns students prefer, for example, and encourage administrators to be receptive of the gender identities of the young people in their charge.

The guidance, which was developed in concert with groups like the New York Civil Liberties Union and the Empire State Pride Agenda, is essentially the department’s reading of existing state and federal laws. And while these standards do not mark new formal regulations, advocates say they will help protect a vulnerable group.

“It’s not an area that many in education are expert in,” said Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union. “And despite the best of intentions — and sometimes, of course, not the best of intentions — students end up being marginalized, and schools end up being enablers of bullying and harassment that drives kids out of school.”

The guidelines, she continued, which address both transgender and gender nonconforming students, will give educators, parents and children an important tool. “Educators know how to do the right thing,” she said, “and parents and kids know what their rights are.”

Schools should use names that students prefer, the Education Department said, and keep two sets of records so their birth names can be kept confidential.

Also included in the new policy is guidance that says students should be able to use the bathroom that correlates with their gender identity, pointing to letters issued by the United States Education and Justice Departments that say prohibiting them from doing so violates Title IX, a federal law that bans sex discrimination.

The state also encouraged sensitivity toward the students at times when their parents might not know that they are transgender, saying students’ privacy should be maintained as best as possible, while also protecting their safety. Advocates say this sort of protection is crucial in instances in which it might be dangerous for a student to be openly transgender at home.

Advocates celebrated the new guidance for the power it puts in the hands of transgender students. There is no medical treatment or mental health diagnosis required for a student’s gender identity to be recognized at school, the guidelines say, and the person best able to determine a student’s gender identity is the student — as opposed to having to meet some minimum threshold of behavior.

Locke, a transgender man who graduated in June from a high school in the state’s Southern Tier, which borders Pennsylvania, said that when he was a student, one of his teachers would consistently refer to him as “she.” (Locke declined to provide his last name.) He considers the use of male pronouns to be an issue of basic respect.

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2015 has been a huge year for the LGBT. With that comes everyone clamoring for to have their trans/gay angle. This video is about fake allies and how they can seek to exploit the LGBT community for their own gain. Jose Canseco is going to crossdress for a week to understand Caitlyn Jenner and American Idol casting directors are looking for the “right” type of trans person and Ryan Cassata takes a stand against them.

Tell me about your experience with fake allies in the comment section

Ryan’s Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOWFjLd-kf8

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Reel Sisters & Brooklyn Museum Present

Seyi Adebanjo (Celebrating Queer & Trans Pride)

1.  Reel Sisters & Kumble Theater Present Pride and Gender:

A Film Conversation! June 4th

 Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival & Lecture Series and Kumble Theater will celebrate LGBT Month on Thurs., June 4, 2015,

6 pm‐8 pm, with an amazing line up of films!

Ọya: Something Happened On The Way To West Africa!  (Brooklyn Premiere)

 Seyi Adebanjo- Director/Producer/Editor

Yoruba Richen- Executive Producer

The documentary follows my journey as a Queer Gender Non Conforming Nigerian returning home to connect with Òrìṣà (African God/dess) tradition, and follow a trail back to the powerful legacy of my great grandmother, Chief Moloran Ìyá Ọlọ́ya.  This personal and political story vibrantly investigates the heritage of command, mythology, gender fluidity, womyn’s power and the hidden truth behind the power of indigenous Yorùbá spirituality.  As I encounter obstacles of a national strike and anti-gay marriage legislation to find the roots of the practice, will I be able to find affirmation for myself as a person between genders/ worlds and take on this inheritance?

The documentary illuminates the lives of Òrìṣà Ọya (Warrior Goddess), Chief Moloran Ìyá Ọlọ́ya and Seyi Adebanjo while interweaving Yorùbá mythology, poetry, performance, and expert interviews. The documentary is lyrical, interwoven with cultural nuances, ritual, interviews, chanting and narration.

Free refreshments provided by Buka authentic Nigerian restaurant

The screenings will be held at the Kumble Theater

One University Plaza 
Flatbush Avenue,

between Dekalb Ave. and Willoughby St.


Brooklyn, NY, 11201

For film schedule and updates visit www.reelsisters.org or call 212.865.2982.

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2.  Brooklyn Museum First Saturdays Presents

June 6th, 2015

International LGBTQ Pride

 Seyi Adebanjo

Film 6 p.m.

Trans Lives Matter! Justice for Islan Nettles

Excerpt of Ọya: Something Happened On The Way To West Africa!

A powerful and intensely moving document of a community vigil for Islan Nettles a transgender Womyn of Color.

A talkback with the filmmaker follows.

Free tickets (25) at the Visitor Center at 5 p.m.

Brooklyn Museum

200 Eastern Parkway


Omar Mateen’s ex-wife reveals that Omar had a history of violence and was very abusive towards her, often beating her when he came home. She also adds that he wasn’t very religious [x]

This was a hate crime against the LGBT community (who I might add many were Latinx, since the shooting in Pulse happened on Upscale Latin Night), but please don’t jump to conclusions and use this situation to justify Islamophobia. Many people are dead and many more injured are in desperate need of help, focus on helping those out instead. 

If you live in/near the Orlando area, you can donate blood. Must be at least 16 years old and at least 100 lbs. Call 1-888-9donate.

If not, you can help by donating to support the victims of the Pulse Shooting [x]

Hey everyone!

Are you a part of the LGBT+ and/or POC community? Are you also a part of the punk community? Do you create art? Do you know someone who might fall into these groups? Keep reading! My name is Alex and I am creating a zine/exhibition-in-print for a class I’m currently taking. I would love to make this a regular thing and make it available physically and online. The mission of the zine is LGBT+ and/or POC people in the punk scene, reclaiming it, and becoming more visible. The works submitted don’t necessarily have to be a statement on this. The artist’s personal experiences and connections to these communities are enough. What you need to submit:

1. Name and contact info. (email, etc whatever you’re comfortable with) 2. Artist statement. 3. Up to 10 images/links to works. (links to imgur probably work best if submitting more than one piece) A higher quality version will be requested if chosen. video/sound pieces should not be submitted as this will be presented in print. 4. Identify the works ie title, medium, size, and year. 5. Anything else that you feel I might need to know regarding your submission.

Where to submit:

Send your submissions through my submit page.

Submission cut-off date: !!! MAY 23rd, 2017 !!! The zine is due May 30th. Submitting your works sooner rather than waiting until the last day is preferred as I need time to put together the zine, write a curator’s statement, and printing the zine. If one of your pieces is chosen I will happily send you a physical or digital copy of the finished zine. :)